Kwara APC Crisis Deepens As Elder Alleges Manipulation In Omupo/Igbaja Candidate Selection, Questions Primary Process

Ilorin,  Kwara State– The crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has deepened following allegations of manipulation and imposition in the selection process for the Omupo/Igbaja/Ifelodun I constituency slot ahead of the 2027 elections.

An elder and stakeholder from Igbaja Ward 1, Elder Olaitan Oyin-Zubair, has raised concerns over a disconnect between activities carried out on the ground during consultations and campaigns and the eventual candidate list released by the party.

In a memorandum dated July 1, 2026, titled “RE: OMUPO/IGBAJA/IFELODUN I CANDIDATE SELECTION – A CALL FOR PROCESS, NOT IMPOSITION,” elder Oyin-Zubair stated that the process that produced the candidate for the constituency did not reflect the realities of consultations, campaigns and primary activities witnessed across the area.

According to him, Mr. Lawal Olanrewaju David, popularly known as LOD, actively campaigned and consulted widely across Omupo Constituency, while another aspirant, Mr. Duduyemi Suleiman, allegedly had little or no visible campaign presence until the final stage of the primary process.

“As an elder and stakeholder from Igbaja Ward 1, Omupo Constituency, I state as fact,” Elder Oyin-Zubair wrote.

He stated that Lawal Olanrewaju David visited all eight wards in Omupo Constituency and carried out consultations and physical campaigns throughout the constituency.

According to him, LOD also conducted campaigns across the eight wards, including Igbaja Wards 1, 2 and 3.

He noted that LOD held meetings three times with traditional rulers under the leadership of the Elese of Igbaja, HRM Oba Ahmed Awuni Babalola Arepo III.

“Thrice, LOD met with the traditional rulers presided over by HRM Oba Ahmed Awuni Babalola Arepo III, Elese of Igbaja. The palace can attest to his commitment,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Elder Oyin-Zubair explained that Suleiman Duduyemi “did not surface to campaign for the seat till the last day of primaries” and “visited no ward and held no consultations.”

The stakeholder also questioned the outcome of the process and the composition of the candidate list eventually published by the party.

He claimed that results from the contested primaries favoured Lawal Olanrewaju David with over 2,000 votes but expressed surprise that the APC House of Assembly list for 2027 reportedly carried another name.

“The results of the contested primaries favoured LOD with over 2000 votes,” he stated.

“The APC HOA list for 2027 shows Lawal Sulaimon for Omupo/Igbaja/Ifelodun I.”

Questioning the basis of the selection process, he asked: “Where did Suleiman Duduyemi have his votes? E beru Olorun fa.”

Describing the development as inconsistent with what party members witnessed at the grassroots level, Elder Oyin-Zubair said: “This permutation is far from what we did on ground.”

He added: “When the candidate who won over 2000 votes, worked the eight wards, and carried the traditional institution is bypassed, it is evidence of cheating and manipulation.”

“Habaaa! Somebody is lying and grandstanding,” he added.

The elder also linked the controversy to an affront to traditional institutions in the area.

According to him, the 98-year-old Elese of Igbaja, HRM Oba Ahmed Awuni Babalola Arepo III, was among traditional rulers who travelled to Abuja to facilitate reconciliation efforts during the Kwara APC crisis.

“Our Baba @98yrs, HRM Oba Ahmed Awuni Babalola Arepo III, Elese of Igbaja, was among the royal fathers who went to Abuja to make truce on the Kwara APC impasse at his old age,” he stated.

He questioned the implications of recent developments on the efforts and sacrifices of the monarch.

“How will Baba see the futility of his wasted journey to Abuja if he now sees the glaring evidence of cheating and manipulation in Omupo/Igbaja?” he asked.

“To bypass LOD after the palace’s testimony and Baba’s sacrifice is to dishonour the stool.”

Elder Oyin-Zubair argued that the matter goes beyond individual interests and reflects larger concerns over internal party procedures.

According to him, the issue is connected to concerns he had previously raised regarding the APC constitution and procedures for replacing elected party structures.

Citing provisions of the APC Constitution 2022, specifically Articles 21.2 to 21.4, he argued that the only lawful process for replacing elected structures requires “Charge → Service → Fair Hearing → Appeal.”

He noted that this process was not followed in several local government areas, including Ifelodun.

He also referenced Articles 10, 12 and 20, arguing that stakeholders and elders possess advisory responsibilities only and that the National Executive Committee (NEC) remains bound by constitutional procedures.

“No organ can substitute Congress-elected EXCOs,” he stated.

On legal implications, he cited previous judicial decisions, including Marafa v APC Zamfara SC/377/2019 and the Rivers APC Court of Appeal decision of May 2026, arguing that invalid party structures could affect the legality of primaries.

He further referenced Section 84(13) of the Electoral Act 2022, stating that legal scrutiny would ultimately focus on the legitimacy of the process itself.

“The court in 2027 will not ask who is powerful. It will ask: Was the process valid?” he said.

As part of his appeal, Elder Oyin-Zubair called on party leadership to revisit the Omupo/Igbaja/Ifelodun I selection process.

He requested the withdrawal and review of the constituency slot so that, according to him, it could reflect consultations across the eight wards, the alleged 2,000-plus votes recorded during the primary process, and the position of traditional institutions.

He also urged the restoration of due process across local government areas where elected executives were allegedly removed outside constitutional procedures.

However, he warned against ignoring grassroots structures.

“Remember 1983: When the base is ignored, victory is handed to the opposition.”

“Little drops of water, and faulty grassroots, can drown a giant.”